‘They have the welfare of kids at heart’: Northamptonshire teachers union rep speaks out about ‘difficult year’

Many teachers have had to work through term breaks this year
Teachers have faced considerable challenges and sacrifices this year. File picture.Teachers have faced considerable challenges and sacrifices this year. File picture.
Teachers have faced considerable challenges and sacrifices this year. File picture.

A union representative who is keen to quash bad public perception about teachers has revealed what it has been like for Northamptonshire’s educators during the pandemic

Elaine Coe, who is the joint secretary of the National Education Union in Northamptonshire, has been disappointed by the public perception that teachers have had ‘extra time off’.

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In reality, Elaine says most teachers have worked through a lot of holidays.

The union rep, who is also a teacher, said: “It’s the end of a long year for teachers.

“It’s been really difficult as heads and some teachers have basically had no break.

“They worked all summer and half term, as if there is a positive test, they have all the follow-up to do.

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“The test and trace representatives have had to work during their holidays as well and it’s not something we get paid for.

“But there is a public perception that we have been getting loads of time off.”

At the beginning of the pandemic when schools were closed to a proportion of students, they did, of course, remain open for the children of key workers.

To remain open to those children, teachers who are also key workers, had to continue to work despite schools officially being closed, which is where the ‘public misconception’ came from.

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Elaine added: “At the start all schools were open and staff were there teaching the kids who were in, which by the end of July was a significant number of them.

“They were also having to set work from home as well as getting the centre assessed grades and for primary teachers, trying to get Year 6 kids ready for Year 7.

“Most teachers want kids at school as they have the kids’ welfare at heart.

“We want the kids to be safe and to be in a safe environment, but that’s difficult to maintain.”

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As schools reopened to all children back in September and bubbles were formed, teachers encountered a new set of challenges and sacrifices, which for the most part, Elaine says is appreciated by others.

“For the kids it’s a different experience, so for example Year 7 are not getting to mix with other year groups,” Elaine added.

“And Year 8 kids don’t feel like Year 8s as they don’t feel like they’ve moved a year.

“There are also staff shortages to manage and bubbles bursting, but the fact that so many schools have managed to stay open is amazing for the kids and shows how dedicated people have been.

“And I think most people do appreciate that.

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“It’s nice to see parents and people who live and work with us appreciating us more than people ever have.

“Many of us also are not seeing our parents over Christmas as we have not got time to self-isolate before.

“But teachers are quick to look after or be concerned for those children they look after before their own health or seeing family.”

Elaine is hopeful the vaccine will help the situation in schools, but she understands that teachers and children will be low on the list to receive the immunity jab.

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In the meantime, the union rep is also hoping for solutions to help teachers and students in the new year.

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